Colonic irrigation device



P 1958 2H. A. WESSELS 2,852,025

COLONIC IRRIGATION DEVICE Filed Oct. 7, 1955 Anvem'or Herman A. WW-55d;

COLGNIC IRRIGATION DEVICE Herman A. Wessels, Maryville, Mo.

Application October 7, 1955, Serial No. 539,080

2 Claims. (Cl. 128227) This invention is a colon irrigating device that features a tip that is easily inserted into the body yet is nonclogging. This result is achieved by directing the water used in the irrigating sideways out of the tip close to an overhanging dome shaped forward end of the tip. Another feature of the device is a complementary table and waste receiving system that makes the administration of the irrigation involve the minimum of mess and discomfort. The device also features structure principally in the shape of the tube that is inserted into the body which minimizes discomfort and permits a very simple structure for supporting the tube.

Accordingly it is the principal object of my invention to provide a novel colon irrigating device; one that:

(1) Has an integrally formed non-clogging tip.

(2) Is extremely simple in design.

(3) Is relatively sanitary in use.

(4) Is relatively comfortable in use.

While the foregoing are the main objects of my invention, it is my intention to include as objects thereof any such as would be clear to a skilled worker in this field of endeavor after he has read this specification and examined the accompanying drawings which are briefly described as follows:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention with a conventional water supply represented schematically;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view with a portion of a human torso; and

Fig. 3 is a still further enlarged side elevation of the tip with portions of the structure broken away to illustrate its construction more fully.

Referring to the drawings and specifically Fig. 1 a conventional toilet Iii, flexible tube 12, water tank 14 and mixing nozzle 16 are shown. The mixing nozzle is connected to running hot and cold water (not shown) so that by introducing controlled quantities of each a constant supply of water at an approximately constant temperature is provided to tank 14. The balance of the structure shown is my invention.

A table end 18 is supported on toilet and secured preferably by a suitable hinge 20 to table portion 22 which has legs 24 that support the outer end of table portion 22 at a level higher than the top of the toilet 10. The table portion 22 is inclined down from its outer end to the toilet, therefore. Table end 18 is provided with an opening 26 into which waste receiving unit 28 slidably fits. A stop rig 30 is formed on the waste receiving unit to support the majority of the unit above othe table by the stop 30 engaging the edges of the opening 26. Waste receiving unit is cylindrical generally with a front opening 32. As seen in Fig. 2, the lower forward portion 34 of the opening 32 extends farther toward the inclined table portion 22 than do the edges 36 of the opening. When collecting tray 38 is secured to the lower side edges 36 of the opening 32 by means of the hook flanges 9, the tray extends well into the Waste receiving unit as shown in Fig. 2. Hooks 40 are formed by bending out the oi side flanges d2 of the collecting tray 38 on a bias so that the effect achieved, as shown in Fig. 2 is to have even the edges of tray 38 overlap the front of the opening 32 in waste receiving unit 28. In the top of the waste receiving unit is a notch 44 to receive the irrigation administering tube itself.

The tube 45 is seen clearly in Fig. 2 to have a straight portion on either side of a curved portion. The curved portion constitutes an are that is about one quarter of a circle. One of the straight portions, the one connecting to tube 12, is connected to the curve with a slight reverse bend, however, so that a straight projection of the two straight portions to a meeting place would enclose an angle of more than ninety degrees. Trial and error determined the shape of this tube to be one that is very comfortable and effective used on a person in a prone or substantially prone position. No clamps or other a-ppurtenances are found necessary to support the tube in its operative position as shown in Fig. 2 except the slight support given by the waste receiving unit. Essentially the waste receiving unit prevents the tube from falling over which would apply uncomfortable leverages to the body orifice. Finally there is the tip for the tube which contributes a major measure to the success of the entire mechanism.

The tip is a hollow member forming an enlargement on the end of the tube. For ease of description and claiming, the tube tip is said here to be in three parts; a cutoff or truncated cone 46, a smooth domed end 48 and an overhanging portion 50 formed by the juncture of the portions 46 and 43. Actually the tip is a one piece unit. Directly behind the overhanging portion 50 and protected from being clogged thereby are the holes 52 from which water is emitted during the irrigations. This structure is a non-clogging one. The overhang 50 of the dome 48 holds back at some distance any material that might cover completely a hole in a flat surface. Once the water begins to flow, of course, it will erode any material that might be near the hole. This tip will not be clogged when it is inserted, therefore, even if the colon is in a very congested and poor condition.

A person using this device can administer the irrigation to himself. He arranges his torso on the table portion 22. as shown at 54 in Fig. 2 and inserts the tube 45 into the body orifice. He then merely lies on the table until the irrigation is completed, about twenty to thirty minutes usually. The tube is then removed and the water supply turned off. Water remaining in tank 14 rinses and flushes the structure. A hot water rinse can then be administered to clean the unit for storage. The table, if provided with hinge 20, can also be folded for storage if necessary.

I have disclosed my invention by describing and showing a preferred practical embodiment of it. I now set out with particularity in the following claims what I believe to be my invention.

1 claim:

1. In a structure for administering colonic irrigations and disposing of the waste therefrom; a table adapted to be supported at one end by a toilet; means for supporting the other end of said table at a level higher than a toilet supported end; said table having an opening therein at said end adapted to be supported by a toilet; a hollow waste receiving unit slidably entering the opening in said table; a stop means on said waste receiving unit to determine the extent to which said waste receiving unit extends into said table opening; said waste receiving unit being open at its from above said stop means; a collecting tray secured to said waste receiving unit and extending away therefrom up the incline of said table; said waste receiving unit having a notch in its top to receive and partially support a tube; a rigid tube fitting in the notch of said waste receiving unit and being bent to adapt Patented Sept. 16, 1958 it to enter colon of a person reclining on said table; and References Cited in the file of this patent geti ifogn said tube to facilitate placing it in the colon of 21 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2. The colonic irrigation device of claim 1 in which the 845,249 Morris 1907 lower front portions of said waste receiving unit extend 5 907,839 Mendenhan 1908 further toward the higher end of said table than do the 1,274,702 FOX 1918 sides of the front opening of said waste receiving unit and 1,602,750 Cole 121 1926 said collecting tray has hook flanges formed on its inner 2,133,626 Mayberry 3 end that engage the lower side portions of the front FOREIGN PATENTS opening of said waste receiving unit. 10 323,834 Great Britain Jan- 16, 1930 

